In the Mahabharatha
The other great epic which bas influenced our culture is the Mahabharatha. This is a work
of great compass containing a lakh of
slokas divided into 18 parvas. In many places in the epic emphasis are laid upon Dharma,
have and service to one's fellow men. The basic principle of Dharma interpreted in terms
of love and service is the knowledge that the Supreme Spirit dwells in the heart of every
living creature. In the Shanti Parva-Adhyaya 261, there is a reference to the dialogue
between the merchant Tuladhara and the Brahmin Jabali. The
merchant instructs Jabali on right conduct, In sloka 9 he says: " He who by his
action, mind and speech is continually engrossed in the welfare of others and who is
always a friend of others knows Dharma." This Sloka explains the basic test of Dharma
and declares that the essence of Dharma is love and service to others. Again,
in Sloka 16 - it is said that he, who does no harm to others by act, m1nd and speech,
attains the Supreme Being. In other words, love to all is the realisation of Godhead.
‘Love and God ' as the great Tamil classic Thirumanthirum
says." In fact, the Mahabharatha envisages the perfect Age -or Krita Yuga
as it is called consisting of Ekanthins i.e. men with single-minded devotion to God and
who are completely non-violent and interested in doing good to all beings and devoid of
selfish action."
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